Windows 10: Windows OEM license and changing the motherboard

Discus and support Windows OEM license and changing the motherboard in Windows 10 Gaming to solve the problem; I have a license of Windows 11 Pro OEM. What happens if I change the motherboard? But keep the CPU and all the other components? Will I have to buy a... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Gaming' started by Octavian-Codrut Popescu, Feb 4, 2025.

  1. Windows OEM license and changing the motherboard


    I have a license of Windows 11 Pro OEM. What happens if I change the motherboard? But keep the CPU and all the other components? Will I have to buy a new license?Thanks

    :)
     
    Octavian-Codrut Popescu, Feb 4, 2025
    #1

  2. How to activate Windows 10 OEM version after changing Motherboard?

    I think your first step might be to try to determine what kind of license you have.

    There are educational license, that probably would behave more like the volume licenses in the sense that you would have to get the university to issue you another license. Or it might be like you think and is an OEM license that might not transfer.

    The "current" standard answer for OEM licenses, is that they die with the motherboard dying.

    And in fact for a Retail license the answer would be to install that first on the new motherboard and do the upgrade to Windows 10 again.

    Now I will mention that in there is currently an Insider build where Microsoft is testing more ways to activate. As in using the product key of the old version of Windows or in the case of machines that have the OEM key embedded in them, use the OEM key
    to activate. But it might be months before that is release to the public.

    And depending on where the manufactures store that OEM key I suppose it might be possible you changing out the motherboard would in fact remove it. In other words say the original motherboard is from Dell and has a OEM key in it, but you buy a generic motherboard,
    then it wouldn't have an OEM key on it.

    There is conflicting reports on here if a call to Microsoft will get them to activate or not. Most of them seem to say that Microsoft wouldn't do it for them.

    As for your two possible paths. There is no way to pay to change an OEM license to Retail license.

    Now on just buying a license in general.

    If you are purchasing a motherboard you have the right to buy an OEM license, which is cheaper than the Retail license. But with that you are doing the same thing, and most likely locking your license to that motherboard.

    Another possible path is just to buy say Window 8 or 7 license, and then upgrade that to Windows 10.

    Also you should check with your university to see if they have some kind of deal.
     
    A_User_Here, Feb 4, 2025
    #2
  3. upgrade to windows 10 home oem version

    Based on how OEM licensing works, changing the motherboard invalidates the licensing. Recent communications suggest that Microsoft might be forgiving to such circumstance, so you could reinstall Windows 10 Home, then use chat support to reactivate:

     
    Andre Da Costa, Feb 4, 2025
    #3
  4. Windows OEM license and changing the motherboard

    Is still OEM license legal after motherboard exchange?

    Hi TomitaSERBAN-

    I'm Kevin B. Independent advisor and a Windows user like you, let me help you sort things out.

    Activation depends on what type of license you have:

    If it came preinstalled with the computer, that is called an OEM version. For an OEM license, the license remove as soon as Motherboard is not working. So basically,it is non-transferable. If that is the case you need to get a new license.

    If its the free upgrade from a retail store,it is transferable to a new computer or motherboard.

    If its the free upgrade from a OEM preinstalled Windows license, it is NOT transferable to a new computer or motherboard.

    However, this is not same for retail licenses.

    Example: You purchased the license through Microsoft store. That does carry transfer rights.

    To activate your Windows:

    Run the activation troubleshooter on the new device using the below steps:

    Go to Settings>Update and security>Activation and run the troubleshooter. and select I recently changed hardware on this device.

    You may also refer on this link about Activation process of your Windows:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12440/...

    Hope this will help and have a bless day!

    Thanks.

    Kevin B.

    Independent advisor
     
    Kevin Bart., Feb 4, 2025
    #4
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Windows OEM license and changing the motherboard

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